A VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF AT-HOME JACKET – EMBROIDERED, FROM THE FAR EAST

This is such a beautiful thing – I wish it weren’t  too big for me.  But oh, well, I love it all the same.  Not way old, because it’s poly satin, but the embroidery is to die for and it’s not completely colorfast so may not be too modern.  I’m not always sure about the construction and fabric qualities of garments made overseas.

Anyway, what a gorgeous item to wear around the house and, also, out.  I have a fantastic  embroidered red silk jacket from China that I often wear with black pants when dressing up is the thing.  Looks ab fab.

Tomorrow I’ll show a very recent discovery of the same genre, but older and more the style of Mata Hari.  Something I’d been searching for for a long time . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY, PRETTY WARTIME – POST-WAR NYLON BED JACKET BY ROGERS

OK, head back 10 to 20 years for another frilly, girly piece of boudoir lingerie – a beautiful bed jacket, the likes of which has disappeared from our modern wardrobes.  This was another of the lingerie luxuries that women enjoyed until the 1970’s.

Delicate and beautiful, items like this were common in average women’s closets.  They seem a bit over-the-top for everyday wear today, but in mid-century life were (and are) very practical for before bed and early morning activities while women were wearing their nightgowns, without sacrificing feminine mystery.

Gotta tell ya’ – it beats throwing a hoodie or sweater over your pj’s in a cool house. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY BLOUSE FINDS. I’M ALWAYS THRILLED BY THEM!

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These are all great,  but I always love peasant blouses and Sixties cotton blouses.  The true ones are becoming more and more rare and are so fun to encounter.  They are always a go-to for me in the summer.

Nothing could have been more iconic in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.  Some of the little-white-blouses had embroidery on them, too, but not big and bold like the peasant variety.  Although popular back to the Forties, these examples come from the Sixties and, maybe, early Seventies.

Yes, another trio to find closet room and happy wearing come next May . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN SUMMER FINDS TODAY!

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Just found a trove of custom-tailored summer fashions, plus some accessory goodies.  Wow, posts are going to be up to mid-December now so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER “NEW” – 1960’S HOUSECOAT WRAPPER

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I always pick up these old cotton or cotton blend housecoats when I find them.  Although there are similar ones being made now, the older ones tend to have the best quality and most interesting styling and decoration.

Such fun to know these little differences that make a big impact on your satisfaction when you wear them!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MADE IN JAPAN – LOOK AT THIS FAB COTTON KIMONO!

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Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.

Another unusual and  surprising find.  I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity.  The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).

Definitely a keeper.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SO UNUSUAL – 1960’S VELVETEEN MINI MATERNITY DRESS!

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What a surprise to come across this custom-tailored frock.  It’s got many clues that told me of it’s age and how it came to be, but the styling was the real delight.  SO unusual to discover a maternity dress or a “tent dress” from the mid-1960’s.

Tent dresses were all the rage for a while during the Mad Mod Sixties.  Fortunately, the style didn’t hang around too long.  But, what could be more perfect as a maternity design?  This one is meant for fall and winter partying in heavy velveteen.  I have to say, it is cute on Stella.

After discovering a treasure like this, I wondered what could be next and it didn’t take long to find out.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS UNUSUAL FIND! MID-1960’S VELVETEEN MATERNITY TENT DRESS

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Wowee!  Someone custom-tailored this cute mini-dress that falls from above the bust-line and is a really flattering shape for someone whose waistline has temporarily disappeared.  It also could have been a “tent” style, which was all the rage about that time.  In any case, it’s perfect for Fall no matter how or why she wore it!

All kinds of “new” stuff, including a wonderful hairdo for Stella.  She’s psyched!  So am I.  We’ll be spreading a lot of rockabilly vibes and more.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! 1960’S LUXE NEIMAN MARCUS HOSTESS GOWN

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Embroidered all over with gold metallic thread, this designer dress from the famous high-end retailer is a fabulous find!  Couldn’t believe it.  Luxurious at-home wear that can easily  go out and about – there are no “rules” these days saying that would be “not done”.

I love true vintage hostess and patio dresses, as well as other at-home wear from eras past.  Often the better-quality items are in fantastic condition because they were worn sparingly and/or cared for so well by their original owners.

Just another marvelous day in Mid-Centuryland for the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I CREATED A VERY COOL VINTAGE SKIRT

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Look what I did to my dress!   You had seen this late 1960’s wool dress before, and I loved the red knit top of it, BUT,  the years had not been kind before it came to me and some moths had had a banquet.  Just couldn’t live with the little holes here and there, and no good way to fix them.

SO – why not snip it off at the waist and fashion a dirndl/pencil skirt instead?  So easy!  All I did was finish (by hand) around the waist with a piece of grosgrain ribbon, sew a few hooks and eyes in the placket left where the zipper used to be et voila’!  Just for extra fun, I threaded a black tie belt through the crochet so that it ties off in back.  Wouldn’t have had to, but it allows me to fit the waist a little more snugly and adds a cute touch.

Brainstorm!  Maybe I can wear it with that neat green sweater found recently – and black boots – must check it out . . . . .. … .. . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM